Without Veterans, Giants Start Over

Salary Cap Forces Team To Regroup

Last May, the Giants convened for spring minicamp bolstered by their trip to Super Bowl XXXV. The mood was confident, the players seemed poised. Things were cool.

Today, a 7-9 record in 2001 and the subsequent dismantling of the team because of salary cap problems have the Giants feeling more contemplative as they gather around coach Jim Fassel for the first of three days of workouts at Giants Stadium

``The biggest thing I've learned as a coach is there are always issues,'' Fassel said. ``The worst thing you can do is overreact to them.''

It hasn't been an easy off-season for the Giants. The salary cap forced them to release a number of important players, including linebacker Jessie Armstead, safety Sam Garnes, offensive tackle Lomas Brown and quarterback Jason Garrett. This weekend they also will release veteran offensive guard Glenn Parker.

They did not re-sign a number of their free agents, including wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, fullback Greg Comella, offensive tackle Ron Stone and kicker Morten Andersen. Only safety Shaun Williams has been re-signed.

``As a competitor, I want to have the most experienced veteran team I can possibly have,'' Fassel said. ``So it hurts when you see guys go out. But that's part of the game today.''

What hurt more was the bickering that broke out. The slow pace of negotiations to renew the contracts of Michael Strahan and Kerry Collins -- which still has not occurred -- brought both players into controversial focus.

Strahan's pointed comments about his desire to leave after 2002 caused Tiki Barber to fire back.

When defensive tackle Keith Hamilton came to Strahan's defense, the team had a major problem.

``But it's OK,'' Strahan said. ``There is no problem between me and any of the guys.''

Said Hamilton: ``Sometimes when you're in the heat of the moment, you say things you don't really mean. As a veteran, I should have been aware of that.''

In January, defensive coordinator John Fox left to coach the Panthers, and Fassel replaced him with secondary coach Johnnie Lynn.

Lynn must hope third-year linebacker Dhani Jones can replace Armstead, a five-time Pro Bowl pick. And Lynn will depend on Jason Sehorn's return to health to bolster a secondary that allowed many big plays.

``The pressure comes from the job itself and the pressure to get back to the standard that was established,'' Lynn said. ``We played pretty good defense until last year, when we were inconsistent at times. We want to get back to the standard that's been set.''

Fassel also hired his third special teams coach in three seasons, Bruce Read, and the Giants drafted players who are expected to improve a kickoff return average (17.7) that was last in the NFL in 2001.

Their most notable selection, first-round pick Jeremy Shockey, a tight end from Miami, replaces the retired Howard Cross.

``I'm a speed guy and we got much faster [in the draft],'' said Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi.